AUBURN, Wash. (February 6, 2014) – A 29-race stakes schedule featuring the 79th renewal of the $200,000 Longacres Mile (G3), three stakes double-headers and Washington Cup XII has been announced for the 2014 season at Emerald Downs.

Beginning with the $50,000 Hastings Handicap for older fillies and mares on Sunday, May 11, and ending with a stakes double-header for 2-year-olds on closing day, Sunday, September 28, a total of $1,610,000 will be offered in stakes purses.

Twenty-six stakes are scheduled on Sundays including the $200,000 Longacres Mile (G3) on Sunday, August 24. The Grade 3 Mile—among the Northwest’s most enduring and iconic sporting events—is half of a stakes double-header also featuring the $65,000 Emerald Distaff for older fillies and mares at 1-1/8 miles.

According to Emerald Downs Vice President Jack Hodge and Director of Racing Bret Anderson, the 2014 stakes schedule allows all categories several opportunities at large purses, and designed so that horses peak for the biggest events in August and September.

The schedule features 10 stakes events for older horses, 10 races for 3-year-olds, eight events for 2-year-olds and one race for Quarter Horses.

The road to the Longacres Mile begins Sunday, May 18, with the $50,000 Governor’s Handicap for 3-year-olds and-up at 6-½ furlongs, and continues Sunday, June 15, with the $50,000 Budweiser Handicap at one mile. The $50,000 Mt. Rainer Handicap on Sunday, July 20, serves as the final local prep, and 2013 Horse of the Meet Herbie D used the 1-1/16-mile event as a perfect tune-up for his brilliant victory in last year’s Longacres Mile.

Annually attracting several of the nation’s fastest middle-distance runners, The Mile culminates a tremendous two-week stretch that features championship events in four categories. In addition to The Mile and Emerald Distaff, 3-year-old fillies meet in the $65,000 Washington Oaks on Saturday, August 9, and 3-year-olds square off in the $65,000 Emerald Downs Derby on Sunday, August 10.

The 2-year-old divisions tilt heavily toward the latter half of the meeting, capped by a September 28 doubleheader featuring the $65,000 Gottstein Futurity at 1-1/16 miles and the $50,000 Cahill Road Stakes at six furlongs.

The 75-day season, the 19th at Emerald Downs, begins Saturday, April 12. Live racing is offered every Saturday and Sunday through April, with Fridays added to the schedule beginning May 2. Post time is 6:45 p.m. Fridays and 2 p.m. weekends. Exceptions are 1 p.m., Kentucky Derby Day, Saturday, May 3, and 4:30 p.m. for the Fireworks Spectacular, Thursday, July 3.

Holiday racing will be held Monday, May 26, Friday, July 4, and Monday, September 1.